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Cotton Kings Weekly

October 28, 2002 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Lubbock Cotton Kings News Release


THE PAST IS PRESENT

Year by year, players come and go. Most of them stay but some retire, some have better opportunities elsewhere or advance to a higher level, some return to school and some become coaches. It was rare after the first season to see a former Cotton King suiting up for the opposition. Doug McCarthy was one of the first to do so. McCarthy left the ‘Kings after the inaugural 99/00 season to take a coaching job in England. Something fell through and McCarthy found himself back in North America looking for an opportunity to resume his playing career. McCarthy landed an opportunity, as the New Mexico Scorpions acquired him half way through the season. It was odd at first seeing McCarthy in the enemy gold and fans didn't understand. Do you boo or cheer for a player that scores for the opposition... especially for ones wearing his old ‘Kings jersey?

At one time it was rare seeing former ‘Kings playing for the opposition, but this season is turning into a family reunion of former ‘Kings. The Cotton Kings have seen a former ‘King dress for their opponent in all four games this season. ‘Kings all-time leading defenseman Brandon Carper suited up in the season opener for the Amarillo Gorillas, former WPHL Defenseman of the Year Arturs Kupaks dressed for the New Mexico Scorpions the following night, former ‘Kings defenseman Pat Brownlee enjoyed an overtime victory over Lubbock Friday night with the Austin Ice Bats and former all-time leading goaltender Lance Leslie collected a franchise first for the Laredo Bucks Saturday night in Lubbock's home opener.

Former ‘Kings are always trying to get a leg up on their old team, and no one has topped the job of accomplishing that feat other than Leslie's performance Saturday night at the Lubbock Municipal Coliseum. A determined Leslie rallied his team to perform well, as he didn't want anything more than spoiling Lubbock's home opener and grabbing Laredo's first win in franchise history. The snake-bit Bucks were due for something good to happen as their opponents (heading into last Saturday) had combined for a 9-1-0 record. The Cotton Kings out-shot the Bucks 50-25 in the game, but Leslie stopped 48 of 50 shots. The streak will continue this week, as the Cotton Kings will host Brandon Carper and the Gorillas Tuesday and Arturs Kupaks and the New Mexico Scorpions Friday night. Lubbock will play the Jackalopes in Odessa on Saturday. No former ‘Kings are on the Jacks' squad.

"LOOK AT ALL THE PEOPLE"

Lubbock opened up their home schedule Saturday night in front of 6,532 fans inside the Lubbock Municipal Coliseum, which filled the coliseum to 93% of its full 7,050 capacity. Tuesday's game against the Amarillo Gorillas is their annual "Kids Day Game," as the Cotton Kings invite area school districts to a morning-scheduled game. The 11 AM face-off will have over 3,800 kids from over 15 area school districts on hand. Cotton Kings players will orchestrate game operations in a manner towards the safety of kids, as public service announcements have been produced featuring ‘Kings players. The game is also part of the season-ticket package and individual tickets can also be purchased at all Select-A-Seat locations. As of 4PM Monday, over 6,200 tickets have been purchased for the game (does not include no-shows).

‘KING OF THE WEEK

Blaz Emersic has been named the Cotton Kings player of the week for October 21 – 28th. The Slovenian winger recorded 4 points off of 2 goals and 2 assists in the two games played over the week. Emersic currently leads the Cotton Kings in scoring with 7 points off 4 goals and 3 assists, which currently ties him tied for 10th in the league.

WEEK IN REVIEW

Fri. Oct. 25 2-3 OTL (ot) @ Austin Top Star: AUS-Kelly Smart hat trick (3 goals)

Sat. Oct. 26 2-4 L vs. Laredo Top Star: LAR-Joey Sewell 2 goals

WEEK AHEAD

Tue. Oct. 28 11:05 AM vs Amarillo Gorillas Radio: KKAM 1340 AM Notes: The Amarillo franchise makes its first trip to Lubbock under the Gorillas nickname. The Cotton Kings are 13-2-2 all-time in Lubbock against Amarillo. Lubbock already leads the season series 1-0-0, as the Cotton Kings spoiled Amarillo's season opener 6-0. Lubbock's Mike Brusseau recorded a shutout in the contest stopping all 36 shots. The Gorrillas and Cotton Kings are the top two teams in the league for shots on goal per game.

Fri. Nov. 1 7:05 vs New Mexico Scorpions Radio: KOOL 98.1 FM

Notes: Lubbock looks to tie the season series with the Scorpions after dropping a 4-2 tilt to the Scorps' in Albuquerque Oct. 19th. The Cotton Kings are 11-3-2 all-time against the Scorpions in Lubbock. New Mexico currently leads the SW Division and has yet to lose a game this season.

Sat. Nov. 2 7:00 @ Odessa Jackalopes Radio: KKAM 1340 AM

Notes: Lubbock and Odessa meet for the first time in the regular season this Saturday night. Odessa won all ten meeting last season, but the Cotton Kings won the preseason match-up. The ‘Kings are 5-9-1 all-time at the Ector County Coliseum.

PRACTICE TIMES FOR THE WEEK: WED. (1-2:30PM) , THUR. (10:30 – NOON), FRIDAY, (10-10:30 AM)

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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